Gondwana Game Reserve, situated along the Garden Route, will offer a three night walking trail traversing through the reserve from November. The activity is already bookable.

The Pioneer Trail takes guests to three remote tented fly camp within the Big Five reserve and can be booked out by families and groups and caters for a maximum of eight guests.

Each of the camps comprise four sleeping tents with en-suite bathrooms and covered outdoor seating area; a dining and lounge tent; outdoor dining boma and campfire area. A camp assistant and two trails guides will accompany guests throughout the journey.

Director, Wendy Rutherfoord, told Tourism Update that the ‘slack packing’ trail is perfectly suited to families because it offers a unique opportunity to explore the Fynbos in Big Five territory, with little to no organisation. Marketed as “just bring your boots”, she says guests’ needs are completely taken care of.

“The beauty for international guests is that they just need to bring their boots and then we pack duffle bags and transfer these between the camps,” she says. “Guests only travel with a light day pack with a packed lunch.”

All meals are catered for you as well as cold beverages on tap. 

Guests must be at least 12 years old and fit enough to walk about 10km per day over the course of the day. There are two full days of hiking.